"The Others"

                                                        
I have been thinking this morning about the 'church'. I am not thinking about the building. I am thinking on the people and remembering a scripture....


"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 4:28

For some reason, when I awoke this morning...I could hear this phrase. 'God is a God of second chances'.
It is a nice way to start the day.

It is good to remember that His mercies are new every morning, because, they are.

It is our blessing that His mercies are 'not' new every week, or once a month, for we need them daily.
Isn't it interesting that He reminds us that His mercies are new at the start of our day? I think that is because, after we rest, morning is often when we realize the slate is clean.

So, as we circle back around, let's begin again, with these thoughts in mind.
He is taking us to a place of reflection.

I am thinking about the people in my life, that are different than me.
(who comes to your mind?)
 

It is a fact of life, that we are all different really. But, I am thinking about the condition of my heart and the lens that "I see" others through. 

If God is a God of second chances, and His mercies are new every morning. Why is it, so hard to remember that we are all "one in Christ Jesus".

I think it is because, sometimes we forget where we have come from. We forget that we are broken, that past the sweet perfume, nice suits and shiny Oxfords or torn shoes and ragged jeans, lies the sinner. 
It is by His Grace that any of us should approach Him.

It begins here in this moment.  A simple recognition that I am not who I think I am...
and neither are they..
..(remember, the ones God brought to your mind earlier)..
Instead we are His, as are they...saved by grace, redeemed by His Son, and seen through the lens of hope, forgiveness, and love.

Let us receive His grace and offer others His grace as well.
The slate is clean, He is a God of second chances.
Circle back around...and by His mercy, begin again.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus"
 Philippians 1:6